State Rep. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) recently joined more than 100 state legislators from 32 states and both major political parties to learn about emerging environmental issues at the 2016 National Issues Forum hosted by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL). The event promoted collaboration between state legislators and provided essential educational resources regarding the pressing environmental and conservation issues currently facing the country.

“Ohio's natural beauty and vast environmental resources need to be preserved and protected,” said Smith. “Ohio's frozen renewable energy standards are an example of short sighted policies that do not protect the health of Ohioans and hinder the growth of an emerging sector of America’s 21st century economy. I am happy to partner with other state legislators in an attempt to lead this nation toward cleaner and greener environmental policies.”

Topics covered at the forum included clean energy, environmental justice, water quality and conservation, toxic chemicals in consumer products, among many others. Sessions were led by nationally-recognized experts as well as fellow state legislators.

“We need to expand our efforts in Ohio to conserve our land and natural resources. I plan on continuing to be active on these issues by collaborating with advocates across the board to introduce environmentally-friendly policies,” Smith concluded.

NCEL is a nationwide network of more than 1,200 state legislators from all 50 states and both major political parties. Created by and for state legislators in 1996, the Caucus serves as a resource on environmental issues through legislative research, organized events and by facilitating collaboration between lawmakers working on similar issues.

Rep. Smith was one of only two state legislators in attendance from the 131st Ohio General Assembly.

State Reps. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid) today introduced legislation to block the state from taking over additional local school districts and privatizing local school boards. The proposed moratorium follows the controversial state takeovers of Youngstown City Schools and Lorain City Schools, where the heavy-handed approach has failed to produce any meaningful improvement or results.

State Reps. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge) today announced a bi-partisan effort to create jobs and drive economic growth by making Ohio a destination for the recording industry. The Ohio Sound Recording Investor Tax Credit, also known as OhioSounds, will work to attract more of the almost $7 billion in annual music industry revenue to the state.

“Ohio is the birthplace of legendary musicians, unforgettable songs and ‘Rock N’ Roll’,” said Rep. Smith. “OhioSounds honors our proud legacy and works to cultivate a winning model moving forward. Ohio can become a destination for musicians, producers and industry leaders who will create jobs and strengthen our local economies. The OhioSounds tax credit will solidify our commitment to Ohio’s musical heritage and create new music that will provide the soundtrack to our lives.”

“Much like the Ohio film tax credit, this legislation seeks to incentivize investment in Ohio and create jobs in a dynamic industry,” Representative LaTourette stated. “Northeast Ohio has seen quite an investment in response to the film tax credit, with major motion pictures filmed on the streets of Cleveland and throughout our region. Given our history as the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll, it just makes sense to extend that incentive to the music industry and embrace our heritage as musical innovators.”